Trolley for electric cars.



PATENTED AUG. 80, 1904.

L. M. MoBRIDE. TROLLEY FOR ELECTRIC CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25', 1904.

Witnesses UNITED STATES Patented August 30, 1904.

LEWIS M. MCBRIDE, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

TROLL EY FOR ELECTRIC CARS- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 768,674, dated August 30, 1904. Application filed January 25, 1904.Serial No. 190.462. (N0 model.)

T 0 all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Lnwrs M. MCBRIDE, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing in the city and county of Denver'and State ofColorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trolleysfor Electric cars; and 1 do declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters andfigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in trolleys for motor-cars.

The object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary contact-wheel andmeans for connecting the same to the trolley-pole, thus providing for acontinuous and increased flow of electric fluid from the line-wire tothe motor and to the light-circuit, thus preventing breaking of contactand consequent arcing should ing a cross-wire or support.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved manner ofsupporting the auxiliary wheel, whereby it will stand in the samerelative position to the line-wire in rounding a curve as at othertimes, thereby greatly lessening the liability of its slipping the saidwire, the said auxiliary-wheelsup-- port being held so that its wheelshall engage the line-wire by a spring-controlled mechanism electricallyconnected with the'light-circuit, whereby when one or the other of thewheels slip the line-wire the circuit is closed and lights are turnedon, which will notify the conductor or motorman of the occurrence.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating thetrolley, the auxiliary wheel, and the manner of its connection with thetrolley-pole. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the pivotal connectionof the auxiliary-wheelfork with the supporting-arm. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal sectional view of the cylindrical casing, through whichpass'the rods connecting the auxiliaryline wire 5.

one of the trolley-wheels be thrown in passwheel-supporting armwith thetrolley-pole, showing the spring which controls one of said rods and acircuit-closing mechanism which is connected with the light-circuit.Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the casing on the line 4 4of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is aside view of the arm-supporting rods and theirconnections. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating the mannerof pivoting the supporting-arm to the trolley-pole, and Fig 7 is adiagrammatic view of the light-circuit and its connection with thearm-supporting mechanism of the trolley.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates thetrolley-pole, and 2 the wheel, which are of the usual construction. Tothe trolley-pole a suitable distance below the wheel is pivoted one endof a horizontal arm 3, the opposite end of which is upturned at an angleand carries an auxiliary contactwheel 4, which, with the wheel 2,engages the This arm is preferably constructed, as shown in thedrawings, comprising a hollow member 6, having, a forked end whichsupports the auxiliary wheel 4:, a solid member I, having a pin 8threaded into one of its ends, which fits in the hollow member 6 andhaving a circumferential groove 9 near its free end,. the member 6 beingadapted to turn upon the pin 8 and being held thereon by a screw 10,which passes through the member 6 and into the groove 9, the portion ofthe screw which enters the groove being unthreaded, and a horizontaltubular member 11, which screws upon the opposite threaded end of themember 7 and is provided at its opposite end with ears 12, which arepivoted to 'a lug 13, formed on a sleeve 14, which turns freely uponthetrolley-pole 1. These poles are generally tapered, and in order thatthe sleeves may have a straight bearing a bushing 15 is interposedbetween the sleeve and the pole, the bore of which conforms to the taperof the pole, while its periphery is cylindrical and forms the bearingfor the sleeve. The sleeve-is held in place by collars 16, which aresecured upon the pole above and below the sleeve by set-screws, thuspreventing the sleeve from moving in the line of its axis, butpermitting it to turnfreely; The

a portion of its length, and upon this reduced l portion is slipped asleeve 17, having eyelets l 18 upon opposite sides thereof. This sleeve1 is suitably secured, so as not to turn upon the end of the member 6and is held against endwise movement in one direction by the end of lthe member 7 and in the opposite direction l by the shoulder formed byreducing the end of 1 member 6. l

To one of the eyelets 18 is secured the usual rope by which the trolleyis manipulated,while to the other eyelet is secured one end of acombined support and circuit-closer, the other end of which connectswith a yoke which is pivoted upon the upper forked end of the trolleypole. This support comprises a pair of rods 19 and 20, respectively,which are linked together centrally, so as to be capable of alongitudinal movement upon each other. Upon the free end of the rod 19is screwed an eyelet 21, which engages one of the eyelets 18 of thesleeve 17, while upon the free end of rod 20 is screwed an eyelet 22,which engages an eyelet 23 of a yoke 2%, which is preferably pivotedupon the extended ends of the axle-pin of the trolley-wheel 2. The link19 3 of the rod 19 is preferably screwed upon the end of the said rod,while the link 20 of rod 20 may be integral therewith, a portion of therod substantially midway of its length 1 being threaded, as shown at20". These rods pass through a cylindrical housing 25, having heads 26and 27, the head 26 being provided with a circumferential groove 26,into which extends the ends of screws 26", which pass through theperiphery of the housing and hold the head against endwise movement, butpermit the same to turn upon its axis.

The head 27 is rigidly secured within the end of the housing in anysuitable manner and is provided centrally with a threaded hole, which isdesigned to receive the threaded portion 20" of the rod 20. thussecuring the housing upon the said rod. To the head 27 is secured oneend of a retracting coil-spring 28, the opposite of which is arranged toengage a washer 29 upon the rod 19, the said washer abutting against theend of the link 19. The spring 28 exerts a constant pull upon the rod19, which is communicated to the arms 3,

causing the auxiliary wheel 4c to engage the line-wire, and if it isdesired either to increase or diminish the power of the said spring itis only necessary to unscrew a jamnut 30 upon the threaded portion 20 ofrod 20, when the housing may be turned in either direction, therebyincreasing or diminishing the power of its spring, as may be desired.

A suitable distance beyond the free end of the spring 28 1 secure withinthe housing a .washer disk 31 of suitable non-conducting material havmga central aperture through which a the rod 19 passes, the said aperturebeing considerably larger than the rod. At opposite points upon thisdisk are secured contactsprings 33, the free ends of which are bent toextend through the aperture of the disk parallel with the rod 19, asshown. The inner face of the head 26 is formed with a circular recess34:, in which is secured a disk 35 of non-conducting material, and thedisk and the head are each provided with a central hole through whichthe rod 19 passes. At opposite points upon the disk are securedcontact-springs 36, similar to the springs 33 and the same distanceapart. These springs also extend parallel with rod 19. Upon the rod 19and midway between the two sets of contact-springs is located a metaldisk or 37, which is slightly greater in diameter than the distancebetween the two contact-springs of each set 33 and 36. This disk fitsloosely upon the rod, so as to slide freely thereon, and is held in itsnormal position by coil-springs 38 and 39, which bear, respectively,against opposite sides of the disk and are held under tension by collars41:0 and 41, which are secured upon the rod by set'screws. Through ahole 42 in the head 26 and a corresponding hole in the non-conductingdisk 35 is passed. one end of a wire 4L3, which connects with one of thesprings 33 on the disk 31, a short branch from said wire connecting withone of the springs 36 on the disk 35, the wire being insulated exceptwhen it connects with the springs. From the housing the Wire passesunder and along the arm 3 and down the trolley-pole to the top of thecar A,where it passes to a signal-light 7) at one end of the ear andextends thence to a signal-light c at the opposite end of the car, afterwhich it connects with the usual light-circuit (Z between the switch aand the ground.

The circuit between the contacts 33 36 and the signal-lights Z) 0 isnormally open, and these lights are consequently out; but the circuit isclosed in the following manner: In passing a cross line-wire or asupport or in rounding a curve the trolley frequently slips the wire,which stops the ear and puts out the lights, if they are on, the carremaining dark and at a standstill until the trolley is again broughtinto engagement with the wire; but with. my improved arrangement one orthe other of the trolley-wheels will engage the line-wire, thusmaintaining the connection beween line-wire and motor and obviating thestopping of the car or putting out of the lights. If the maintrolley-Wheel should leave the wire, it will be thrown forward by theaction of the usual springs at the base of the trolley-pole, carryingwith it the rod 20 and housing 25, which is secured upon said rod. Thismovement will cause the housing to slide upon rod 19, which is heldstationary by its connection with the arm 3 and the spring 28, which issecured to the head 27 of the housing at one of its ends and engages thecollar 29 of rod 19 at its opposite end, will be stretched or expanded,and the links of the rods will have slid upon each other until theirends engage. At this point the contact-springs 36 will impinge upon orslip over the disk 37 on rod 19, pushing it against its coil-spring 39,which is thereby compressed. A circuit is now closed between rod 19 andsignal-lamps I) and 0,which are lighted, and notify both conductor andmotorman that one of the trolley-wheels has slipped the wire. If thisoccurs during the day, when the usual lights are turned off,- then thecurrent from rod 19 will pass through the signal-light circuit and intothe usual lightcircuit and light all the lamps in the car. Now if theauxiliary wheel 4 should slip the wire the arm 3 will be drawn up by theengagement of spring 28 with rod 19, which is connected to the said arm3, and the disk 37 will pass between contact-springs 33, closing thecircuit between rod 19 and the signal-lamps, as before described, and atthe same time compressing its coil-spring 38.

The function of the coil-springs 38 and 39 is to quickly throw the disk37 from between the contact-springs 33 or 36, thereby to reducesparking, and thus preventing burning of contacts. This operation occurswhen either trolley wheel is replaced, and is as follows: Assuming thatthe auxiliary wheel has slipped its wire, then the disk 37 is drawnbetween the contact-springs 33, thereby compressing its coil-spring 38,as previously mentioned. The pressure of the springs 33 is sufficient tohold the disk 37 tightly and, as the rod 19 is drawn out by thereplacing of the trolley 4;, the disk will be held, the spring 38 willexpand again to its normal position, and spring 39 will be compressed toa point sufficient to overcome the resistance of the contact-springs 33,when it will instantaneously throw the disk from be: tween the saidsprings and reduce the sparking, as previously stated. The operation ofthe springs 38 and 39 is the same when the main trolley-wheel isreplaced and need not therefore be recited.

The pivotal connection of arms 3 with the trolley-pole by means ofsleeve 14 and the pivotal connection of the auxiliary-wheel support withthe arm 3 allows the auxiliary wheel to maintain a position parallelwith the linewire both while rounding curves and when the maintrolley-wheel has slipped the wire, thus practically overcoming theliability of both wheels being off the wire at one time and theconsequent stopping of the car.

My improvement is simple and practical, and not only provides forgreatly-increased contact with the line-wire, but assures an unbrokenflow of electric fluid to the motor and a simple manner of ascertainingwhen either trolley has slipped the wire.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a trolley-pole having a contact-wheel, of an armpivoted to said pole; a member pivoted to the opposite end of said arm,carrying an auxiliary contact-wheel; a yielding connection between thepole and the armfor holding the auxiliary wheel, in engagement withtheline-wire, and means forming a portion of the said yielding connectionto closingan electric circuit, to give notification when one or theother of, the wheels has left the line-wire, substantially as shown. v

2. The combination with a trolley-pole having a contact-wheel, of asleeve adapted to turn upon said pole; an arm pivoted at one end to saidsleeve and a member secured upon the opposite end of 'saidarm so as toturn thereon, said member carrying an auxiliary contact-wheel; ayielding support connecting the arm and the pole, and means connectedwith said support for closing an electric circuit to give notificationwhen one of the wheels has left the line-wire, substantially as shown.

3. In a trolley, the combination with a trolley-pole having acontact-wheel, of a hor zontal arm pivotally connected ,to said pole, anupturned member secured to the opposite end of said arm so as to turnthereon, and an auxiliary contact-wheel carried by said upturned member;rods connecting the arm and pole, which are linked together, andspring-actuated and means connected with said arms for closing anelectric circuit to give notification member secured on the opposite endof said arm and an auxiliary contact-wheel carried by said member whichis secured upon the end of said arm so as to turn thereon; of means forsupporting the said arm and for closing an electric circuit, when one ofthe wheels has slipped the line-wire, to give notification thereof;comprising a rod connected with the trolley-pole, a housing adjustablysecured upon said rod, carrying contacts which are connected with anelectric circuit; a second rod linked to said first-named rod, itsopposite end being connected to the arm carrying the auxiliary wheel; aspring connected at one end to said housing, and at its opposite end tosaid last-mentioned rod, said spring,

. tached to said pole, a member secured upon the opposite end of saidarms so as to turn thereon, and an auxiliary contact-wheel carried bysaid member; of means for supporting TIO the said arm, and for closingan electric circuit when one of the trolley-wheels has slipped theline-wire. to give notification thereof, comprising a pair of rods whichare linked together so as to move one upon the other,

the free end of one rod being connected with the trolley-pole, while thefree end of the other rod is connected with the arm carryingtheauxiliary trolley-wheel; a cylindrical ho us- IO ing having athreaded axial hole in one of its heads which engages a threaded portionof one of the rods; a head secured within the opposite end of thehousing so as to turn therein, said head having a disk of non-conducting:5 material secured thereto, to which contactsprings are secured; a diskof non-conducting material secured within the housing, a suitabledistance from the movable head, having contact-springs, attachedthereto, and a wire connecting the contacts upon the rear and those uponthe disk in a circuit having signallamps; a contact upon the other rodwhich closes the said circuit, when one of the wheels slips the wire,and a spring which exerts a pull upon the said rod, substantially asshown.

6. In atrolley for motor-cars, the combination with the trolley-pole andits wheel, an arm pivotally connected to said pole having an auxiliarytrolley-wheel and a yielding sup- '30 port connecting said arm and saidpole, of a branch circuit connecting said yielding support with thelight-circuit of the car, said branch circuit having signal-lampstherein; and means connected with said yielding support for closing saidbranch circuit when one 40 trolley-pole and its wheel, of a sleeveadapted to turn upon said pole; a horizontal arm pivoted to said sleeve,a projecting pin in the opposite end of said arm having an annulargroove, near its free end; an auxiliary-wheel support, having a hollowshank which fits loosely upon said pin, and is held thereon by a screwwhich passes through the periphery of said shank and into the groove ofthe pin, linked rods which connect the said arm with 5 the trolley-pole,a housing through which said rods pass which housing is secured upon oneof said rods, a spring secured to one end of said hous1ng,wh1ch exerts aconstant pull upon the other rod, contacts carried by the housing whichconnect with a lamp-circuit, and a contact upon the last-mentioned rodwhich closes the said circuit when one of the trolley-wheels slips thewire, substantially as shown.

8. In a trolley for motor-cars, the combination with the lamp-circuitthe pole and its wheel, an arm pivotally secured to said pole, anauxiliary wheel carried by said arm and a yielding support connectingsaid arm and pole; of a branch circuit having signal-lamps therein,connecting said yielding support and said lamp-circuit, and meanscarried by said yielding support whereby said branch circuit is closedwhen one of the wheels slips the wire, substantially as shown.

9. In a trolley,the combination with the pole and its wheel and an armpivotally attached to said pole having an auxiliary contact-wheel at itsfree end; of means for supporting said arm comprising a pair of linkedrods, one of which is pivotally connected to the arm, while the other ispivotally connected to a yoke carrieil by the trolley-pole, and isthreaded a short distance about centrally of its length; a housinghaving at one end a revoluble head with a central hole, and at itsopposite end a fixed head with a threaded hole, which engages thethreaded portion of said threaded rod; contact-springs carried by therevoluble head but insulated therefrom, similar contact-springs carriedby a non-conducting ring, secured a suitable distance from saidrevoluble head and a wire connecting both sets of said contactsprings ina lamp-circuit; a sliding spring-controlled circuit-closer on thefirst-mentioned rod, which closes said lamp-circuit when a wheel slipsthe wire, and is thrown by the action of its springs when the wheel isreplaced, to reduce sparking, and a spring secured to the fixed head ofthe housing, which exerts a constant pull upon the rod having thecircuit-closer, the power of said spring being increased or diminishedby turning the said housing one way or the other upon the threaded rod,substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS M. MoBRIDE.

VVitncssc-s:

Gr. SARGEN'I ELLIOTT, BESSIE THOMPSON.

